The Chief of Staff Podcast

Chief of Staff Network

Interviews with Chiefs of Staff. The CoS Pod hopes to give people insights into how these individuals are the glue that holds organizations and teams together.

  1. From Chief of Staff to Product Manager: Sarah Kislak on Following Your Talent

    5 DAYS AGO

    From Chief of Staff to Product Manager: Sarah Kislak on Following Your Talent

    Sarah Kislak spent nearly a decade at Box, progressing from an executive assistant in a rotational program to Chief of Staff for a 1,000-person engineering org, and ultimately into product management. In this episode, Sarah shares what she learned by observing a Chief of Staff before stepping into the role herself, how she ran a team of seven while keeping alignment across recruiting, finance, comms, and strategy, and the hackathon moment that made her realize she wanted to build products. She unpacks the differences between an operator and a PM mindset, explains why she chose to follow her talent rather than her passion, and offers practical advice for Chiefs of Staff who are PM-curious — including how to run small experiments this week to test the fit. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network membership, courses, and resources at chiefofstaff.network.

    42 min
  2. Navigating the Intersection of Public and Private Leadership

    4 MAR

    Navigating the Intersection of Public and Private Leadership

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to manage the intricate dance of politics and business? Meet Nick Greif, a seasoned leader who has seamlessly maneuvered through both the public and private sectors as a Chief of Staff. We delve into the path charted by Nick, who transitioned from the Chief of Staff for an LA city council member to a pivotal role in the corporate world. Nick's journey is a masterclass in adaptability, strategic coalition building, and transformational leadership. If you've ever wondered how government offices are surprisingly like startups or how the Chief of Staff role varies across sectors, this is the episode for you. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network membership, courses, and resources at chiefofstaff.network.

    34 min
  3. Positioning Yourself as a Chief of Staff

    25 FEB

    Positioning Yourself as a Chief of Staff

    Positioning Yourself as a Chief of Staff                                             How do you stand out when thousands of people are applying for the same Chief of Staff role? And what if you've never held the title before? In this episode, Scott Amenta sits down with Chief of Staff Network President, Thomas Guthrie, former GM, Rahul Desai, and Head of Growth, Lauren Werner to break down what it actually takes to land a Chief of Staff role in today's market. The team covers what principals are really looking for (hint: it goes far beyond "someone really smart"), how to position non-CoS experience without stretching the truth, and why the best candidates treat the interview as a two-way evaluation.   In this episode, you'll learn: The five traits that make a standout CoS candidate, and why you need to check every boxHow to tie your experience to commercial outcomes, even if you've never carried a revenue numberWhy cold outreach to principals beats the resume pile almost every time, and how to do it wellThe cover letter exercise that instantly reveals whether a role is the right fitWhat questions to ask in the interview to protect yourself from the "tractor beam" of a great founderHow to use the CoS Leveling Framework to make sure you're interviewing at the right levelWhether the Chief of Staff role is even the right next step for youReady to go deeper?                                   Chief of Staff Fundamentals is our self-paced email course covering 15 lessons on everything from building your principal relationship to leveraging AI in the role.   Whether you're exploring the CoS path or in your first 100 days, Fundamentals gives you the playbook to hit the ground running. Enroll in Fundamentals Chief of Staff Launchpad is our six-week cohort program for current and aspiring chiefs of staff who want hands-on coaching, live sessions with experienced CoS leaders, and a peer network to grow with. If you're serious about accelerating in the role, Launchpad is the next step. Join the next Launchpad cohort. Chief of Staff Network Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network membership, courses, and resources at chiefofstaff.network.

    39 min
  4. The Career Accelerant: Lessons from a Chief of Staff Turned COO

    18 FEB

    The Career Accelerant: Lessons from a Chief of Staff Turned COO

    Bryan Silverman joined Suzy (then CrowdTap) as an SDR and never left. Over nearly 11 years, he's moved from enterprise sales to Chief of Staff, to running a business unit, to his current role as COO. In this episode, Bryan talks with Scott about the leap of faith that brought him into the Chief of Staff role, what it means to be "involved in everything but in charge of nothing," and how establishing operating cadences became one of his most lasting contributions. He shares hard-won lessons on people management, the transition from doing the work yourself to delegating with context, and why driving leverage, not just output, has been the common thread across every role he's held. Bryan also gets candid about the glass ceiling many Chiefs of Staff face around P&L ownership and people management, and how AI is shifting the balance from execution to problem selection. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network membership, courses, and resources at https://www.chiefofstaff.network/. Tune into Bryan Silverman's discussion with Tom Guthrie on driving AI Transformation on AI for Operators podcast.

    44 min
  5. From Force Multiplier to Builder: Why We're Taking Connect to 7 Cities in 2026

    11 FEB

    From Force Multiplier to Builder: Why We're Taking Connect to 7 Cities in 2026

    Chief of Staff Connect is expanding to seven cities in 2026, our biggest year yet. We're meeting Chiefs of Staff at one of the most critical inflection points in the role. In this episode, Scott Amenta and Tom Guthrie break down the strategy behind Connect 2026 and why this year's theme — FROM FORCE MULTIPLIER TO BUILDER — defines where the profession is heading. You'll hear: Why we're bringing flagship Connect events back to London, San Francisco, and New York and what's different this yearThe story behind launching Chief of Staff Connect Forums in four new markets (tune in to find out where!)What it means to shift from "force multiplier" to "builder" and why that matters for your careerHow we designed this year's events to be more practical, hands-on, and regionally relevantWhy tickets (Flagship and Forum) include annual CoS Network PRO+ membership and what that unlocksThe best Chiefs of Staff aren't just amplifying their executives anymore, they're building systems, frameworks, and infrastructure that transform organizations. Connect 2026 is where you learn how to make that shift. Registration is open now at chiefofstaffconnect.com. Early bird pricing ends soon. Don't wait.

    10 min
  6. From Boardroom to Therapy Room: What Chiefs of Staff Need to Know About Emotional Support

    4 FEB

    From Boardroom to Therapy Room: What Chiefs of Staff Need to Know About Emotional Support

    Chiefs of Staff often find themselves serving as informal therapists to their principals, but where's the line? Dhyan Valle, spent 2.5+ years as Chief of Staff at MightyHive shares what he got right and wrong when supporting his principal, including through a stressful M&A process. Now a licensed therapist, Dhyan returns to unpack what he learned about trust, containment, and why the best support sometimes means resisting the urge to fix things quickly. Looking to find a therapist who also understands the ins and outs of the Chief of Staff role? Learn more about Dhyan's work here: https://www.therapywithdhyan.com/ Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network community, events, and programs at https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

    26 min
  7. The Builder's Mindset: How Chiefs of Staff Create Real Ownership

    28 JAN

    The Builder's Mindset: How Chiefs of Staff Create Real Ownership

    Elyse Levine's career has taken her from the FBI's cyber division to Disney Parks to running USC's new capital campus in Washington, DC. Along the way, she's learned that the Chief of Staff role isn't just about support, it's about finding the projects no one else is raising their hand for. We dig into how she built trust, scaled initiatives, and eventually transitioned from advisor to owner. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership, courses, and events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

    41 min
  8. Finding Your Inner Compass: How Chiefs of Staff Can Lead with Purpose in the Age of AI

    21 JAN

    Finding Your Inner Compass: How Chiefs of Staff Can Lead with Purpose in the Age of AI

    Chiefs of Staff are often the first to feel organizational misalignment, but rarely have the tools to address it. In this episode, Michaela Zuckova and Carl Miller, co-founders of The Purpose Project, share how AI can become a powerful tool for self-discovery, helping leaders find their "inner compass" before transforming their teams. We explore why slowing down is the ultimate competitive advantage and how personal alignment creates capacity for high performance. Discover more about Carl and Michaela's work at https://thepurposeproject.world/ Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership, courses, and events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

    30 min
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About

Interviews with Chiefs of Staff. The CoS Pod hopes to give people insights into how these individuals are the glue that holds organizations and teams together.

Information

  • Creator
    Chief of Staff Network
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chief of Staff Network
  • Show Website
    The Chief of Staff Podcast

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